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Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

Jake, give it up, people who have the money to buy hybribs step down in size for the most part to save gas. We don't compare the lesser vehicle for price we compare how much we will save on gas compared to the same price gas hog were driving now. I wouldn't step down for only 5mpg. Would you?

Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

I just saw this forum and have to say that we simply cannot afford the new hybrids, though I'd love to own a Honda Insight. We've pretty much given up on buying any new cars for the foreseeable future because they're simply over-priced and hybrids just don't win any ECONOMIC arguments when I consider my budget. Instead of new cars, we buy 7-year-old, sub-100k mile vehicles for cash. They're usually only a couple of thousand dollars. Example: our (new to us last year) '98 Ford Escort which gets 36/41 mpg. I can buy a lot of expensive gas for this vehicle for a couple or three years for the difference in price I'd pay for my Insight "dream car", and be able to transport 4 people as well!

Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

Gary G is correct. I keep seeing the comparisons between small cars and their hybrid counterparts. I am looking to buy a hybrid prius or civic to drive rather than my corvette or my wife's navigator. There is where the savings may occur.

Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

Comparing a Corolla to a Prius results in gas costing over $10.00 per gallon for the prius to make finacial sense. Do you not consider this to be
a significant factor in your decision of which car to buy?

Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

I am concluding that most Hybrid buyers are choosing hybrids over traditional cars for reasons other than finacial. I find no gratification in spending more money for less performance. This explains why the typical Hybrid buyer is politicaly left. "It feels good but makes no sense".

Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

So if your decision to buy a hybrid is not purely a financial one, you are a liberal. That's an interesting theory. But I am buying a hybrid, have many reasons for doing so, don't expect an immediate or significant financial gain but vote conservative.

It could be I am an exception or it could be that politics have nothing to do with it and it relates to personal values and prinicples.

Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

The root of "Conservative" is "Conserve". All good Conservatives should consider hybrids to be built for them. Wasn't it your old, conservative grandfather who taught you to turn the lights of when you leave the room?

Granted, the left side has generally been first to embrace them and perhaps are more willing to shell out the extra $$$ to be early adopters.

I, too, consider myself a staunch conservative.

I can't fault Toyota for letting the market drive the price and right now, they are selling every Prius they can make, even after they add a premium.

Hybrid Hype and Consumer Acceptance

When I bought my hybrid car it wasn't a step down, but a step up.
It replaced a 94Dodge 4cyl that did 16-18MPG and falling apart.
I wanted the nicest fuel efficient car they had, so I got the Civic Hybrid. It's vastly nicer than my old Dodge and almost tripple the MPG.